The Hong Kong Ice Hockey Association was founded on 8 August 1980. Hong Kong joined the International Ice Hockey Federation on 31 March 1983, and made its debut on the world stage at the D Pool World Championships in Perth, Australia, in 1987. Hong Kong tied Taiwan 2-2, in its first game international game on 13 March 1987 and went on to win the Fair Play Cup at the world tournament.

Although there was plenty of hockey activity in Hong Kong, local teams (usually stocked with Canadian and American players) did not compete for national championship until 1995-96. The first title was won by a team sponsored by Planet Hollywood.